Speaking ONLY for myself here. I took a 2004 XB12 with the race chip for an hour long test ride last year and found that it does handle extremely well and sounds excellent. But the weak engine and CLUNKY gearbox totally soured the experience for me. If I pay $10,000+ for a bike, I want it to be a contender on ANY road. If I were posing around in Beverly Hlls and quaint French and Italian hamlets or riding US129 on my way to and from work the majority of the time, I'd take the Buell. But for 99% of the roads I ride on in the midwest, I am faster on my cheap, soulless, ugly, and undesirable SV1K. :P

Good to see Buell is sticking with the air cooled engines and not following the trend of bland and boring nonediscript watercooled appliances.

Air cooled engines may not be quite as effeciant as a watercooled unit,but in general ,they sure as hell look a lot better.

Anyone who's had to completly strip an engine to repace a leaking waterpump,spent hours removing corroded bolts from the water jacket ,replaced expensive radiators,hose fittings and temp gauges will know what I mean. Sure they are more effeciant so long as you change bikes before the corrosion sets in.

I think they will, But for now they need to race it and develop it more before a individual will be willing to pay $30,000 for it also building a positive reputation on the track not necessarily a wining one will help.

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